Wynn Macau has emerged as the biggest month-on-month gainer in Macau’s premium mass segment, supported by the recently expanded Chairman’s Club at Wynn Palace, according to Citigroup’s latest monthly table survey.

Analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau said the upgraded premium offering appears to be driving higher wagering volumes, reinforcing the role of enhanced facilities in attracting high-value players.

The survey, conducted in April, observed nine ‘whales’ at Wynn properties wagering a combined HK$1.72 million ($219,600), with analysts attributing part of the increase to the ‘novelty effect’ of the expanded Chairman’s Club. ‘It looks like “build it and they will come” still holds in Macau,’ they wrote, highlighting how refreshed premium spaces can stimulate demand even without a new property launch.

Wynn was identified as the largest month-on-month gainer in the premium mass segment, with its share of observed wagers rising to 23 percent in April from 10 percent in March.

While Galaxy Entertainment continued to rank first with a 27 percent share, the sharp improvement at Wynn marked the first time a single operator swept the ‘gold, silver, bronze’ positions in Citigroup’s whale tracking.

Across the broader market, the premium mass segment showed positive momentum. Total wagers observed during the survey period increased 17 percent year-on-year to HK$13.0 million ($1.66 million), while the number of players rose 5 percent to 644. 

This translated into an 11 percent increase in average wager per player, reaching HK$20,203 ($2,581), compared with HK$18,139 ($2,317) a year earlier. The survey also recorded 31 whales in April, up from 19 in the same period last year.

The analysts noted that Wynn’s performance was likely supported by the ramp-up of the expanded Chairman’s Club at Wynn Palace, which has enhanced the property’s ability to capture premium mass demand. 

At the same time, competitors are also investing in the segment. MGM Cotai recently opened its new premium mass ‘Masters Club,’ featuring 17 baccarat tables and private gaming salons, with minimum bets ranging from HK$3,000 ($383) to HK$10,000 ($1,277).

New baccarat side bets and promotions support engagement

Beyond property upgrades, Citigroup analysts highlighted evolving table game offerings as a potential near-term driver of growth, particularly following regulatory approval of new baccarat side bets.

Variants such as ‘Monkey no Monkey,’ ‘Pairs+,’ and ‘4/5/6 Cards’ have recently been cleared, with Sands China already teasing their introduction on baccarat tables. The analysts said these additions could help stimulate incremental wagering by offering players new ways to engage with the game, particularly among premium mass customers seeking higher-risk, higher-reward options. ‘New side bets will serve as an extra booster to GGR growth,’ they wrote, noting that uptake could build as awareness and familiarity increase.

At the same time, operators are leveraging non-gaming incentives, including concerts and themed promotions, to drive traffic and spending, particularly during the Labor Day Golden Week period.

Citigroup pointed to MGM China’s latest promotional tie-in featuring Labubu plush toys with a FIFA World Cup theme, offered for point redemption. The analysts noted that the campaign was launched just weeks after the latest collection release, suggesting a rapid integration of popular consumer trends into casino marketing strategies.

They added that such initiatives, while not directly tied to gaming performance, can enhance customer engagement and encourage repeat visitation, particularly when paired with refreshed gaming products and experiences.